Psalm 27:14–Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord.
Romans 12:12–Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Ecclesiastes 3:1–To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
Time.
A blessing among so many others from our Father.
In 2009 I was in a car accident that should’ve killed me, according to every earthly authority involved. But God had other plans, and since then, every morning, I open my eyes and thank Him for the gift of another day.
That being said…
I often want the timing of things done on my terms. I have the to-do list that I expect to be completed by dinnertime. As for projects, be they work or house-related, or any trials…medical, financial, relational, even spiritual…I’m not good at waiting patiently. I fight “resting in Him.” Whatever it is, I just want to wrap it up, so I can move on!
In Revelation, I read about the martyrs…MARTYRS!…under the altar asking, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true…?” who are told to wait a little longer…and I fail to see any application for me.
Then I remember…God’s pace, not man’s race.
And I replay the times I’ve steamrolled ahead with my own timing…and the resulting trainwreck…
Versus when I’ve submitted to His timing…
And always, always, always…
My Father knows best.
Currently I’m slogging through a trial (legal) that involves my depending on, and waiting for, the action of others. For the first handful of days I felt discouraged, hurt, angry, disappointed, frustrated, even hopeless…to the point of giving up…
Which is not an option.
I’d been praying, and reached out for backup from a member of my prayer posse (Stacey K.), and part of her text said…
“Lord, You are the Director of Shelby’s life, and know exactly what she needs.”
A few minutes later, I’m driving down the road, and He cut in, loud and clear…
“Shelbo, joy is your word for 2023…joy in ALL circumstances. Put your money where your mouth is.”
EXACTLY what I needed.
I was asking to “just maintain” in the situation, and He doubled-down…
With joy.
Peace, rest, and JOY in the waiting.
And, oh yeah, He’s soooo bringing it.
Proverbs 16: 3-4–Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end.
To its proper end…
AND…
as Ecclesiastes assures us…
in its proper time.
Rest in that truth.
Rest…
in His plan…
in His timing…
in Him.